VOL. 81 NO. 41 DALLAS, PA.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1970
FIFTEEN CENTS
POST threatened
with libel suit
A threat of “immediate appropriate legal
proceedings’’ has been unleased by Atty. Joseph V.
Kasper on behalf of his client, William Hoblak,
against The Dallas Post. The threat followed
publication of a Post editorial Oct. 1.
Entitled ‘‘sad state of affairs,’” the editorial
commented on the fractiousness of Harveys Lake
Borough Council meetings and called council
members to task for their failure to ‘‘act toward
members of the opposing faction in anyting
remotely resembling a civilized, courteous man-
ner.”
The editorial also criticized Mr. Hoblak for
utilizing ‘“‘legal harassment” to oust former
councilman Fred Kohl ‘not only from the council
but from the borough as well.”
In a letter directed to Northeastern Newspapers
Inc. Henry H. Null 4th, publisher of The Dallas
Post, and Shawn Murphy, editor of the editorial
students
question
dress code
Approximately 200 interested parents and stu-
dents attended the Dallas School Board meeting
Tuesday night, and of this number perhaps 75 per
cent were students. Neatly dressed, they were pre-
sent to ask questions about the Dallas School Dis-
trict dress code.
Questions were asked of the school board dur-
ing an open session, and President John LaBerge
gave most of the answers for the board.
One student asked why the dress code was put
into effect this year. Board member Earl Fritzges
said it was put into effect 10 years ago when the
schools were merged.
A round of applause by students was given
aftex one question--“Why don’t students get to put
the ress code to a vote?"
The exchange of questions from students and
answers from the board lasted well over an hour.
Mr. LaBerge made it clear from the start that
the dress code problem would not be decided at this
megyine. He said, ‘All members have a sense of re-
sponsibility. We are willing to discuss this among
ourselves and try to decide. What we do about it
will not be settled tonight.”
‘Milton Evans, member, stated that all students
would be heard, and for the most part they were,
along with several parents, who gave both pro and
con opinions.
It was noted by Mr. LaBerge that the dress
code was developed by the Student Council, along
with the administration. However, several students
took exception to this and stated the Council could
not function with any degree of authority.
Cathy Wilson, president of Student Council,
wanted to know what would happen if Student
"Council voted to abolish dress code. She was told to
take the Council’s position, in such a case, through
the he per channels--right up to Dr. Robert A. Mell-
Superintendent, and through him, on to the
Hi board.
Dr. Mellman said that on the basis of this meet-
ing and the opinions heard, he could assure the stu-
dents the function of the Student Council would be
studied.
‘““‘When we come up with a recommendation, we
will turn it over to the board. We're going to talk
about what can be done. We are going to do some-
thing about it,”’ he said.
The Dallas Post (J. KOZEMCHAK SR.)
“Shine on, shine on harvest moon, for me and my gal...”
motorcyclist injured
IN collision with car
A Back Mountain young man was seriously
injured Saturday night when the motorcycle he was
riding collided with a car.
Daniel Mathers, 24, of 112 Carverton Road,
Trucksville, was taken to Nesbitt Memorial
Hospital by Kingston Township Ambulance. He
was placed in the intensive care unit, with injuries
to the head, cuts of the chin and right knee and
multiple abrasions.
Kingston Township Police reported that Mr.
Mathers was traveling on Route 309 about 300 feet
south of the Citgo Service Station, when the col-
lision occurred. Driver of the car was Charles E.
Siegel, 61 Carverton Road, Trucksville.
The Motorcycle and car were damaged to the
extent of $1,000.
The 9:50 p.m. accident was investigated by
Patrolman William Pugh.
Jr. firemen serve
pn Trucksville
A unique fact concerning Trucksville Volunteer
Fire Company is that it is the only company in this
area with a contingent of junior firemen. About 30
boys, between the ages of 16 and 18 years, join with
some 600 adult members (active and inactive) to
make up the complete unit.
According to Fire Chief Henry Hill, junior
members are used chiefly on brush fires. They also
act as a color guard for the company in parades
and other demonstrations.
The youngsters come from Trucksville and
Shavertown and help their older members protect a
large fire district; extending on the west to Jackson
Township, north to Dallas Township, east to Frank-
lin and Exeter, south to Courtdale, Luzerne,
Swoyersville and West Wyoming.
Fire protection is not the only service rendered
by the department. They gladly help to search for
dh ap 29.
lost children; they wash glass and gasoline from
roads and highways after automobile accidents.
Another service---which is really more of a plea-
sure---is the annual children’s Christmas party,
complete with Santa Claus. At this happy event the
little ones get a present and refreshments. Usually
about 450 children come to the party.
The current project is raising the money for
this year’s Christmas affair, which is to be held in
the municipal building. Those who make donations
for the party might win a ‘basket of cheer’’ for
themselves. Tickets may be purchased from
members.
Three engines are owned by this firefighting
group. One is a 1931 Dodge pumper, a real beauty;
the other two are a 1951 Dodge pumper and a 1968
Dodge tank truck. All three are housed in one end of
; o( continued on PAGE SIX )
According to State Police records, this is the
second motorcycle accident in which Mr. Mathers
has been injured. In September, 1967, Trooper Carl
M. Allen pursued him as he was riding in the Back =
Mountain area. Mr. Mathers crashed into a traffic
sign. His vehicle landed 60 feet away in a small
stream, and he landed 90 feet away on the highway.
At that time, Mathers was charged with going
through a red traffic light, through two stop signs,
speeding, failure to stop at the signal of an officer,
operating the motorcycle without lights, and
driving with an expired registration.
Investigation is continuing on the Saturday
accident.
Mr. Mathers is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.
Richard Mathers.
page, Mr. Kasper charged that ‘you have, without
privilege, libeled him in your editorial of Oct. 1,
1970, by. stating that he (Mr. Hoblak) was
responsible for driving one Fred Kohl from the
Harvey’s Lake Council and the Borough of Harveys
Lake, and by implying that he was improperly
motivated, and improperly used judicial
processes in connection with the Harvey’s Lake
Council, both of which statements are false and
untrue and tend to blacken his reputation or expose
him to public hatred, contempt, ridicule or injury in
his business and public life.
“You are, therefore, placed under notice that
Mr. Hoblak demands an immediate retraction and
a good faith apology in the same prominence as
your statements were made; otherwise, I have
been authorized to institute immediate appropriate
legal proceedings.’”’
Mr. Kasper has represented Mr. Hoblak in a
number of other legal proceedings. On April 30,
1968, and again on July 3, 1969, Mr. Kasper filed
petitions on behalf of Mr. Hoblak and Harveys
Lake Borough councilman Thomas Cadwalder to
enjoin Harveys Lake Borough Council from
borrowing money to undertake the ‘‘Project 70’
public improvement program.
On Oct. 14, 1969, other legal action was taken by
Mr. Kasper to prevent council from purchasing
equipment from the Medico Industries.
Still another legal suit was initiated by Mr.
Hoblak and six others Oct. 14, 1969, when Mr.
Kasper sought to have a contract between Harveys
Lake Borough and Glace and Glace Engineers
voided.
Absentee ballots was the issue the following
month, with Mr. Kasper representing Mr. Hoblak
and Elizabeth Casterline in a suit to have a number
of absentee ballots which had been cast in the
borough dismissed.
Following Fred Kohl’s appointment earlier this
year to Harveys Lake Borough Council, Mr. Kasper
sent a letter on behalf of Mr. Hoblak to council soli-
citor Donald D. McFadden in which he challenged
the seating of Mr. Kohl on a legal technicality. The
(continued on PAGE FIVE)
goblins to join
“Halloween parade
Ghosts, goblins and other frightful creatures of
Halloween will gather Oct. 25 for a good old
fashioned Halloween parade. Sponsored by the
Boys and Girls Work Committee of the Dallas
Kiwanis Club, the parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. at
the Dallas Intermediate School.
From there, the costumed youngsters (of all
ages) will march down Church Street, over Center
Hill Road, and down Lake Street to the reviewing
stand which will be set up in front of the Borough
Building.
Prizes will. be awarded for the funniest
costume, the prettiest, most historical, most
original, and best group. Judges will be the wives of
members of Back Mountain service organizations
as well as school personnel.
Participating in the parade, too, will be officers
of the various service clubs and members of The
Circle K Clubs of Penn State and Luzerne County
Community College. Parade planners hope to have
a marching band also participate in the festivities.
Each participant in the parade will receive a
treasure from the ‘‘goodies bag’’ and major prizes’
will be awarded at the reviewing stand im-
mediately after the parade. ;
Chairman of the parade is George McCutcheon.
He is assisted by Robert Parry, Ernest Thomas,
~ Thomas Dombroski, and George Thomas.
TRUCKSVILLE
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.
The Trucksville Volunteer Fire Dept. boasts three remarkable
trucks: from left to right, the 1931 Dodge pumper; a 1951 Dodge
pumper, and the newest acquisition, a 1968 Dodge tank truck.